Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hopeful on Bihar getting special status

DARBHANGA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today expressed hope that the Centre would positively consider the long-standing demand for according special category status to the state.

"I am optimistic about the Centre's positive response now as I have written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently to explain as to why Bihar deserves to be granted special status," Kumar said, inaugurating a newly-constructed official building 'Mithila Bhawan' here.

He said the state "badly requires" the status to give pace to the development activities, particularly in industrial sector, so that it could make major contribution in the national GDP.

"At present our state contributes 2.9 per cent to the national GDP, but the figure may increase as high as 10 per cent if the Centre grants special status to boost industrial activities in Bihar," Kumar said.